Pneumatic piano.



C. PRBBORG.

PNBUMATIG PIANO.

APPLICATION IILBD SEPT. 21, 1909.

1,081,693. Patented Deo. 16, 1913.

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C. FREBORG.

PNEUMATIC PIANO. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1909.

1,081,603. Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

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ma gezag. m, 75d 46- mm C. FRBBORG. PNEUMATIG PIANO.` APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21, 1909.

1,081,603. Patented Dee. 16, 1913.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FREBORG, OF KANKAKEE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SCI-IAEFFER PIANO MFG. COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC PIANO.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES FREBORG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kankakee, in the county of Kankakee and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pneumatic Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide means by which the mechanism connecting the pedals with the bellows in pneumatic pianos may be made to transmit a direct pressure on the said pedals to the bellows without damaging the toe-rail of the piano.

A further object is to cause the said mechanism to close the opening through which said connections from the pedal to the bellows pass to such an extent as to make it mouse proof.

A further object has been to provide an improved supporting and adjustable means for the bellows frame. By this means I am able to raise or lower the bellows to meet the requirements of the toe-rail with reference to the clearance of said connections. I have provided a ball and socket connection between said adjusting screw and the bellows and with this construction I am enabled to place the bellows in the piano by simply setting it on this screw and then sliding it in at the top and fastening it securely with a spring catch. I am enabled to do this with- `out a screw at the top.

Another improvement comprises an adjust-ing means for the motor governor in which the spring on said governor may be very conveniently tightened or loosened. This permits an accurate adjustment of the governor for a perfect control of the air pressure.

These and other objects will be made apparent in the following specification and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a vertical section through the lower part of a pneumatic piano. This section is taken substantially on the line 2, 2 of Fig. 4t. In this figure the treadles are shown in their lower position. Fig. 2 is a vertical section similar to the preceding figure with the treadles shown in their raised Specification of Letters Patent.

Application iled September 21, 1909.

Patented Dec. 16, 1913.

Serial No. 518,729.

position. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 in Fig. 4t showing one of the adjusting screws for the bellows frame. Fig. L1 is a front elevation showing the treadles in their raised position.

In the drawings the treadles 15 are connected to the movable element 16 of the bellows by means of the connecting rods 17 and the bellows arms 18. Each of the bellows arms 18 i's given a forward turn and terminates in a slightly upwardly turned portion 18a which is provided with a slot 19. The slot 19 is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the end of the bellows arm 1S as it moves about the pivot 28. The forward end 19;l of the slot 19 is preferably given a position slightly nearer to the pivot 28 than the end 19h. The end 19a of the slot will be seen to occupy a position considerably higher than the end 19". The inclined position of this slot has an imi portant relation to the link 22, connecting rod 17 and treadle 15. The connect-ing rod 17 is provided with a pin 2O at its inner end which is adapted to slide in the slot 19. It will be seen that while the treadle 15 is being operated the pin 20 will lie at the inner extremity of the slot. 19 and properly transmit the pressure from the treadle 15 to the bellows arm 1S in a direct manner. It will also be seen that a limited forward movement of the pin 2O to the other extremity of the slot 19 can be effected when desired.

The treadle 15 is pivotally attached to the connecting rod 17 by the pin 21 near its upper end and is fulcrumed to the bar 27 by t-he pin 25 at its lower end. The rod 22 is pivotally attached to the bellows frame 2-1 by the pin 23. There are two rods 22 as seen in Fig. 4L which are placed at the right and the left of the pair of treadles 15. The rods 22 are rigidly connected by means of the bar 27. The said rods 22 terminate in feet 26 which rest upon the floor and support the treadles in their lower position. The pivot 23 of the link 22 is given a position near to the inclined slot 19 and above it. It also is placed slightly in the rear of the end 19b of said slot when the arm 18 is in its forward position. As will be seen by referring to Fig. 2, when the treadle is folded back into its raised position, the link 22 assumes a position nearly vertical. In this position the treadle 15 also occupies a nearly vertical position and the connecting rod 17 is very nearly in alinement there-with. The combined lengths of the rod 17 and that part of the treadle lying between the pivots 21 and 25 is such as to cause the pin 2O to occupy the upper end 19 of the slot 19. In this raised position of the treadle it will be seen that the link 22 has a length which will hold the said pin 2O in that position. It will be seen that during-the time that the treadle is being raised and after it has been rotated to a position in alinement with the rod 17, the link 22 has a length sufficiently less than the combined lengths of the treadle and connecting rod 17 to cause the pin to be drawn to the forward end 19'l of said slot.

The toe-rail 31 is provided with a slot or notch 32 through which the connecting rod 17 passes and in which the 'bellows arm 1S lies when in its forward position. In view of the fact that the connecting rod 17 lies at one side of the bellows arm 1S it will be seen that an uncovered portion of the slot 32 remains. It is desirable to fill this uncovered portion by the mechanism when the piano is not in use in order to prevent the entrance of mice. It will be seen in the above described construction that the thickened lower end 17"L of the connecting rod 17 is moved forward and effectively fills this part of the slot 32 when the treadle is folded back into the frame 24.

The treadle and other parts are entirely concealed and protected by the cover 43 which fits into the front of the casing above the toe rail. This cover is pivoted to the frame at 44 and is composed of two parts hinged together at 45. This permits the lower portion of the cover to be raised free of the treadle to permit it to fold. The bottom of the casing is closed by the lower wall 46.

The connecting rod 17 is provided with an upward bend 30a for the purpose of clearing the toe-rail 31 when the rod 17 is pushed downwardly and backwardly during a stroke of the treadle 15. In the raised position of the parts the opposite side 30 which projects upwardly falls back into the rectangular opening 242L in the bellows frame.

The set screw 83 is threaded into the block 33a which lies just behind the toe-rail 31. The upper end of the said screw 33 is provided with a spherical head 34 which bears in a spherical socket 35. By this means a ball and socket bearing is provided for the support of the bellows frame 24. The upper edge of said frame 24 is allowed to rest against the block 41 and is held in place by the spring catch 42 at its outer edge.

The movable element 36l of the governor bellows 36 is provided with a downwardly projecting and curved leaf-spring 37. A rocking lever 3S is pivotally attached to the bellows frame atl 39 and bears at its upper end against the lower end of the said spring 87. This lever 39 has an angular form and is pivoted at the bend 39 to the bellows frame. The downwardlyprojecting arm 391 is actuated by the adjusting screw 40. This adjusting screw is carried by the frame 24.

T he operation of my improvements herein described is substantially as follows: The operator actuates the treadles 15 in the usual manner and the pressure is transmitted directly by means of the connecting rods 17 pins 2O and bellows arms 18 to the movable elements 1G of the bellows. IVhile thus operating the treadles the pin 20 lies at the inner end of the slot 19. The slot 19 therefore has no function to perform while the piano is being played.

IVhen it is desired to close the piano and fold the treadles back into the bellows frame 24 the person using the piano raises the forward end of the treadle 15 and the movement will be substantially along the dotted line 25a. `When near the upper extremity of the movement the pivots 25 and 21 and the pin 20 assume positions nearly in the same straight line and the combined distances between the said pivots 25 and 21 and between the pivot 21 and pin 20 is considerably greater than the length of the link 22. These combined distances are such as will cause the pin 2O to be drawn to the forward end 19"L of the slot 19. The further movement of the treadle to its final folded position will cause the said pin to be retained in the forward end of said slot.

By turning the adjusting screw 353 the bellows frame 24 may be raised or lowered and the bellows arm 18 may be made to properly enter the slot 32. This arrangement of the set screw 33 in connection with the socket 35 is very convenient when inserting the bellows frame 24 in place in the piano. It enables one to place the bellows in the piano by simply setting the frame on the screwsl 33 and then sliding it backwardly at the top and fastening by the spring catch 42.

To adjust the governor 3G the adjusting screw 40 may be moved inwardly or outwardly and thus increase or reduce the tension of the spring 87. In this manner the governor may be caused to bring about a higher or a lower pressure in the motor as may be desired.

IVhile I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render eXpedient without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

l. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, a bellows arm slotted in its outer end, and a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement with said arm.

2. In an instrument of the character described, .a treadle, a bellows, a bellows arm slotted in its outer end, a Connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its vother end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement with said arm, and a fulcrum for said treadle adapted to be raised to an elevated position.

' .3. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, abellows, a bellows arm slotted in its outer end, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement with said arm, a fulcrum for said treadle adapted to be raised to an elevated position, and links by which said fulcrum is pivotally mounted on the instrument adjacent the pivotal connection of said arm and connecting rod.

4t. In aninstrument oit' the character described, a treadle, a bellows, a bellows arm slotted at its outer end, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle` and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement with said arm, links to which said treadle is pivoted, and feet on said links.

5. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bellows arm, and aV connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement therewith.

6. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and a bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bellows arm, a connecting rod by which the movement of the treadle is transmitted to the bellows arm, and a pin on said rod adapted to slide in the slot on said arm.

7. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bellows arm, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement therewith, and a toerail having a slot to receive the slotted end of said bellows arm and the slidable end of the connecting rod.

8. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bellows arm, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement therewith, and a toe-rail having a slot to receive the slotted end of said bellows arm and adapted to receive the slidable end of the connecting rod at its inner end in the lowered position of the treadle and to receive and be closed by said rod in the raised position of said treadle.

9. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bello-ws arm, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement therewith, a toe-rail having a slot to receive the slotted end of said bellows arm and adapted to receive the slidable end of the connecting rod at its inner end in the lowered position of the treadle and to receive and be closed by said rod and said arm in the raised position of said treadle, and means by which said rod is swung to a position such that its lower end engages the outer end of the slot in said bellows arm.

10. In an instrument oi the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm having a slot at its end substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the bellows arm, a connecting rod having one end pivotally attached to the treadle and its other end pivotally attached to said arm and having a limited slidable engagement therewith, a bellows frame, and means for moving said connecting rod to the outer end of said slot in said arm when the treadle is raised.

l1. In an instrument of the character described, the combination with a treadle and bellows, of a bellows arm slotted at its outer end, and means by which the movement ot' the treadle is transmitted to the bellows arm, a toe-rail having a slot through which said means passes, said means being` adapted to close said slot when said treadle is raised.

l2. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle joined to a bellows and having a limited slidable engagement therewith, and a link oining the fulcrum of the treadle with the frame of the instrument, the length of the link being sufiicient to cause the connecting rod to move to one eX- tremity of its slidable engagement with the bellows when the treadle is raised and in the latter position to obstruct the opening in the piano frame through which said connecting rod operates, said bellows having means for connecting with said link which coperates therewith to close said opening.

13. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, a connecting member1 for said treadle and bellows having a limited slidable engagement at its point of attachment to said bellows, and a link joining the fulcrum of the treadle with the frame of the instrument and adapted to produce a sliding movement at said point of attachment when the treadle is raised.

14. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, a connecting member for said treadle and bellows, and a frame member having an aperture through which said connecting member passes, said connecting member having a bend which causes said member to clear the walls of said aperture while the combined reciprocating and oscillating movements are taking place in said member, said connecting member having a thickened portion adapted to close the unoccupied portion of said aperture when the treadle is folded.

15. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, a connecting member between said treadle and said bellows, and a frame member having an aperture through which said connecting member operates when actuating said bellows, said connecting member having means adapted to close the unoccupied portion of said aperture when the treadle is in a folded position.

1G. In an instrument of the character described a treadle, a bellows, a connecting member for said treadle and bellows, and an enlargement on said connecting member by which it may close the unoccupied portion of an aperture in said instrument when said treadle is in a folded position.

17. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, means connecting said bellows to said treadle having a limited slidable engagement with said bellows, and a link 22 joining the fulcrum 25 of said treadle with the frame of the instrument at a point 23 on the opposite side of said connecting means from said fulcrum near the slidable engagement with said bellows, the combined distances between the pivotal connections of said treadle with said means at 21 and with said link at 25, and between the ends Q1 and 2O of said connecting means, being suiliciently shorter than said link 22 to cause the end of said connecting means to move to the outer extremity of its slidable engagement with the bellows, when the treadle is moved to a position in alinement with said means.

18. In an instrument of the character described, the combination of a treadle, a bellows, means by which the movement of the treadle is transmitted to the bellows, and a frame member having an aperture through which said means passes, said means having an enlargement adapted to close the unoccupied portion of said aperture when said treadle is raised.

19. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, and a connecting rod having one end slidably connected with said bellows and having the other end pivotally attached to said treadle.

20. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, an inclosing frame having an aperture and a connecting member for said treadle and bellows adapted to operate through said aperture, said bellows being adjustable with relation to said frame, whereby the connecting member is brought into proper relation to said aperture.

21. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, an inclosing frame having an aperture, a connecting member for said treadle and bellows adapted to operate through said aperture, and means for adjusting said connecting member with relation to said aperture.

Q2. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle, a bellows, inclosing means for said bellows having an aperture, and connecting means by which motion may be transmitted from said treadle to said bellows through said aperture, said means having an enlargement adapted to close the unoccupied portion of said aperture.

23. In an instrument of the character dcscribed, a treadle, a bellows, inclosing means for said bellows having an aperture, connecting means by which motion may be transmitted from said treadle to said bellows through said aperture, said means being adapted to close the unoccupied portion of said aperture, and adjusting means by which said connecting means may be made to register with and lill said aperture.

241e. In an instrument of the character described, a bellows, an inclosing casing having an aperture, a movable portion of said casing, a treadle which may be folded from its operative position to a position behind said movable portion, connecting means for transmitting motion from said treadle to said bellows through said aperture which fills the unoccupied portion of said aperture, and means for adjusting said connecting means with relation to said aperture.

25. In an instrument of the character described, a treadle joined to a bellows and having a limited slidable connection therewith, a link joining the fulerum of the treadle with the frame of the instrument, the length of the link being suflioient to cause the connecting rod to move to one extremity of its slidable engagement with the bellows when the treadle is raised and in the latter position to obstruct the opening in the piano frame through which said eon- 10 necting rod operates, and means for otherwise inolosing said instrument.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

CHARLES FREBORG. Witnesses:

CARL A. RICHMOND, HENRY A. PARKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents` Washington, D. C. 

